Cockerel can't crow but hen does!?

[Gemski]

I have a serama cockerel, over a year old. When he crows he goes through all the motions. But a whisper comes out, like an exhale. His name is Pipsy, we were told by the breeder he never crowed, but honestly thought once home he'd get going. I'm in no way desperate for him to start producing the crow. He can make other noises but just not a crow.
However we have a buff chamois Poland hen who does crow! Just like a roo.... I know she's a hen as she's laid eggs, in front of me. Won first as a hen in show.
Pipsy doesn't seem bothered by her crowing, maybe a little shocked when she does.
I'd like to point out that although Pipsy produces no sound when crowing, he is very happy and very healthy. We've had him months now, he stands tall and goes through the crowing motions, but no sound!

My husband wondered if something had been done to stop the crowing, which isn't allowed here. But sure if this were the case, would he lose his voice completely? He clucks like a hen, but can't produce a loud sound. Hoping this is making sense?

 

[Smoky73]

Sometimes hens take on the male role in the flock, though usually this happens when there is no rooster present. I have had Dutch bantams hens start crowing while they were away from the males for 2 weeks prior to a show,(but in the same building) its a little hard to explain to a judge, yes, thats a hen AND YES, i KNOW SHE CROWS. Anyway, it could be the male is not as manly as he should be, or she just produces more testosterone than a normal hen. There are cases of birds that can also change sex, but are sterile in the process. I have a friend who raises East Indie ducks, showbirds, and he has shown the hen and wond grand champion with her, and then a year later, took her to another show and won with her as a male once "he" developed the sex characteristic of the curled duck tail.

 

[Gemski]

Sometimes hens take on the male role in the flock, though usually this happens when there is no rooster present. I have had Dutch bantams hens start crowing while they were away from the males for 2 weeks prior to a show,(but in the same building) its a little hard to explain to a judge, yes, thats a hen AND YES, i KNOW SHE CROWS. Anyway, it could be the male is not as manly as he should be, or she just produces more testosterone than a normal hen. There are cases of birds that can also change sex, but are sterile in the process. I have a friend who raises East Indie ducks, showbirds, and he has shown the hen and wond grand champion with her, and then a year later, took her to another show and won with her as a male once "he" developed the sex characteristic of the curled duck tail.

 

Mertyl the hen that crows, hasn't always been with a cockerel. The lady who bred her, explained she crowed, so knew when taking her on that she would. But assumed once with a cockerel she would just refrain from doing so. But didn't, she's a vocal hen. Very loud when she wants to be, hence the name moaning mertyl.
And boy can she be loud!!! I would go so far as to say the single most vocal hen we've ever had.
Pipsy does the strut, constantly on guard. But seems to not realise they are his hens, or what to do.
He was a show bird, kept in a really small cage with Mabel his lady, who we also have. The polands were kept with serama before coming here so knew they would be ok together.
What are the chances Pipsy does his thing, but that we've just not witnessed it? Is it normal for a cockerel to show no physical interest in hens?
When Pipsy and Mabel first came to us, they had never been outside. We started by keeping them in a small space, well small to us. The first week they spent tucked in a corner. The first time out, they just froze! Now they love being outside. It's really beautiful to watch.
Thanks for your in put